About Ekebergparken
Ekebergparken is one of Oslo's most rewarding free outdoor experiences — a hillside sculpture park with some of the finest panoramic views in the city, a rich history stretching back 5,000 years, and a deeply personal connection to Edvard Munch and his most famous work. Set on the Ekeberg ridge south-east of the city centre, the park looks out across the entire Oslo Fjord, from the city waterfront to the forested islands beyond.
The park opened as a contemporary sculpture destination in 2013 when Norwegian art collector Christian Ringnes donated his collection of modern sculpture for public display. Today more than 30 works are scattered through the hillside forest and open meadows, by artists including Louise Bourgeois, Salvador Dali, Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin, and numerous Norwegian sculptors. Each artwork is sited with care in relation to the landscape, and discovering them as you walk through the park is a genuine pleasure.
But Ekebergparken's most profound resonance is its connection to Edvard Munch. It was here on the Ekeberg ridge, on the path between Ekeberg and Ljan, that Munch experienced the anxiety-saturated moment that inspired The Scream. "I was walking along the road with friends. The sun was setting — suddenly the sky turned blood red," Munch wrote in his diary in 1892. "I sensed an infinite scream passing through nature." A small bronze plaque marks the approximate location where Munch stood. This alone makes Ekebergparken unmissable for any visitor to Oslo.
What to See: Highlights
- 30+ contemporary sculptures by international and Norwegian artists
- Panoramic views over Oslo Fjord and the city skyline
- The Munch viewpoint — where The Scream was conceived
- Louise Bourgeois, Salvador Dali, Damien Hirst sculptures
- Stone Age rock carvings (5,000 years old)
- Beautiful forested hillside walks year-round
Guided Tours of Ekebergparken & Munch Sites
Guided tours of Ekebergparken — including Munch-focused walks connecting the park's viewpoint to the Munch Museum at Bjørvika — bring the art and history alive with expert commentary.
We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. DisclosureThe Scream: Ekebergparken's Lasting Legacy
The road along which Munch walked when he conceived The Scream is now called "The Scream Road" (Skrikvegen), and a bronze plaque marks the viewpoint where he stood looking out over the fjord as the sky turned "blood-red like blood and tongues of fire." The view today remains extraordinary — the sweep of the Oslo Fjord below, the city silhouetted in the middle distance — and on a clear day it is easy to understand why this particular vantage point made such a profound impression on one of history's most emotionally sensitive artists.
The Scream was painted in four versions between 1893 and 1910; the most famous tempera version hangs in the National Museum, and a second version is in the Munch Museum at Bjørvika. After visiting Ekebergparken, a trip to either museum to see the original works in person completes a deeply resonant Munch pilgrimage.
Archaeological Finds
Ekebergparken's history predates Munch by several thousand years. Stone Age rock carvings dating back approximately 5,000 years have been found on the Ekeberg ridge, making this one of the oldest continuously used sites in the Oslo area. The carvings — depicting animals, humans, and abstract symbols — are accessible in the park and add another layer of historical depth to what is already an extraordinarily rich site.
Hotels Near Ekebergparken & Central Oslo
Find hotels in Oslo well-placed for Ekebergparken, the Munch Museum, and the city waterfront.
🏠 Find Hotels in Oslo →Ekebergparken: FAQ
Yes — Munch's diary entry of 1892 describes his experience on the road between Ekeberg and Ljan, looking out over the Oslo Fjord as the sky turned "blood red like blood and tongues of fire." This viewpoint on the Ekeberg ridge is now marked with a plaque in the park. It was this moment of existential dread that inspired the most famous image in Norwegian art history.
Yes — Ekebergparken is an outdoor public sculpture park and is completely free to enter at all times. It is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Some events and the restaurant on site have their own charges.
Take Tram 18 or 19 from Jernbanetorget (by Oslo S) to the Ekebergparken stop. The journey takes approximately 10 minutes. The Oslo Pass covers this tram journey. From the tram stop, the park is accessed directly.
Yes — Ekebergparken is very family-friendly. The outdoor setting, the variety of sculptures, the panoramic views, and the pleasant woodland paths make it an enjoyable excursion for families. Some sculptures are quite large and dramatic, which children tend to find exciting. Note that the terrain is hilly.
The park includes works by Louise Bourgeois, Salvador Dali, Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin, Tony Cragg, and numerous Norwegian artists. The collection of 30+ works spans figurative sculpture, abstract art, and site-specific installations. A free map of sculptures is available at the park entrance and on the Ekebergparken website.
